Dan Hardy shared his take on the UFC 322 main event, where Islam Makhachev challenges Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title. Speaking with Helen Yee, Hardy praised Della Maddalena’s striking but said Makhachev’s complete skill set is too much. The fight is set for November 15, 2025, at Madison Square Garden in New York. Makhachev vacated his lightweight belt in June 2025 after four defenses to pursue a second division title. Della Maddalena defends the belt he won in May 2025.
Makhachev holds a 27-1 record with 16 UFC wins. Della Maddalena has an 18-2 record with 8 UFC victories. Hardy sees Makhachev’s move to 170 pounds as well-timed for his physical growth. The card includes a women’s flyweight title bout between Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili.
Makhachev last fought on January 18, 2025, at UFC 311 in Los Angeles against Renato Moicano. Makhachev won by first-round brabo choke submission at 2:42, tying B.J. Penn’s record for most finishes in lightweight title fights at four.
Jack Della Maddalena’s 2025 centered on capturing the welterweight title. On May 10, 2025, at UFC 315 in Montreal, he faced Belal Muhammad for the belt. Della Maddalena won by unanimous decision, with scores of 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46. He outstruck Muhammad 145 to 112 and stuffed all seven takedown attempts, earning fight of the night. This made him champion in his ninth UFC fight.
Hardy’s Breakdown of Makhachev’s Edge Over Della Maddalena
Hardy has long admired Della Maddalena’s boxing. However, he believes Makhachev’s move to welterweight boosts his power.
“I’ve been high on JDM for a long time,” Hardy said in an interview with Helen Yee. “I remember doing interviews back when Ngannou was crossing over to boxing and people were talking about who’s got the best hands in MMA and I was saying JDM at the time. His boxing has always impressed me but at this point I feel like Islam is moving up a weight class at the right time.
“There are a lot of fighters that stay in the weight class for too long and they seem to stifle their physical growth. I don’t think Islam can stay healthy and stay in that lightweight division for any longer and I think right now he’s allowed himself to move into a division where his body is just going to grow into it. He’s going to be incredibly powerful.”
Hardy predicts a close stand-up fight but expects Makhachev’s kicks and grappling to take over.
“I just think Islam’s all-round game is so problematic for any single fighter,” Hardy said. “I see him taking it and I see it probably a 50-50 striking exchange Makhachev winning with a kicking advantage but then his wrestling and his grappling taking over. Probably winning by sub in the championship rounds.”
Betting odds list Makhachev as a -250 favorite, with Della Maddalena at +200. Makhachev aims to join Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, and Amanda Nunes as a two-division UFC champion.
